Korea relations tense as new leaders settle into position

Updated
October 28, 2013 19:12:00

The Korean Peninsula has been on edge over the past two years as new leaders seek to establish their authority. Kim Jong-un became the North's dictator after his father's death in late 2011. South Korea has a new leader too. It's first female president Park Geun-hye.

DAVID MARK: The Korean Peninsula has been on edge over the past two years as new leaders seek to establish their authority.

Kim Jong-un became the North's dictator after his father's death in late 2011. He's since ordered a missile launch and a nuclear test that riled Western powers, and North Korea's main ally, China.

South Korea has a new leader too, it's first female president Park Geun-hye.

Young Hie Kim is the editor-at-large for one of South Korea's three biggest daily newspapers, and has spent decades covering relations between the two Koreas.

He spoke to our reporter Michael Janda.

YOUNG HIE KIM: We expect something positive from Kim Jong-un's Economy First policy, departing from Military First policy. Because you know to rebuild to his poverty stricken economy he needs hard currency, he needs very close, active, economic cooperation, economic assistance from South Korea. And to do that in due time I think he will eventually agree to resumption of the talks.

And the same is true with the Korean side too. If president Park somewhat eases her so far rigid principle-oriented North Korea policy, then there may be dialogues. And the dialogue is the first step.

MICHAEL JANDA: You mention the new Economy First policy in North Korea. Can you explain some of what Kim Jong-un is doing as part of this policy?

YOUNG HIE KIM: He's, not formally, but the market place expanding in North Korea, he's allowing that. And then he's promoting several key development projects like resort area and industrial park, and aiming for foreign capitalists from South Korea, from America, from EU countries, from South Asian countries, from China.

DAVID MARK: Veteran South Korean columnist Young Hie Kim, speaking to Michael Janda in Seoul.